MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Reviews- Page 39

[stageleftreport]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 1:49pm

i actually interned for one of these lead producer offices back in 19-20 and posted about it on clock app, there’s some actually great and nuanced convos happening in the comment section if anyone wants more vibes from that side of the industry lol

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6yJEH4m/

[SeanD2]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 1:57pm

Would this all be solved by the producers paying to have ABF take a 23 & Me test to see if he does have any Asian heritage? 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:09pm

SeanD2 said: "Would this all be solved by the producers paying to have ABF take a 23 & Me test to see if he does have any Asian heritage?"

I have offered to pay for a test that shows that Andrew’s 1/64th Mongolian.

Jokes aside, it’s entirely possible that he has some Asian genes through being Jewish.

But you can guarantee that no matter how Asian he might be, the party line of the crowd would ring out loud and clear just like when they talk about the amount of Asians shown to be on Broadway: “IT’S NOT ENOUGH!!!”

Updated On: 8/4/25 at 02:09 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:14pm

RippedMan said: "This was likely the thought process: The guy is dating the current lead. He's somewhat of a name. He seems like a good fit for the role. I think that's likely all the though that went into it."

Correct. He knows the show incredibly well considering he ran lines with her for months so she could nail her audition, which she did. Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity to be on North America's greatest stage. He doesn't look like a typical leading man (Joshua Henry/Norm Lewis/Jeremy Jordan), so this is a great opportunity for him.

I'm glad they aren't bending to pressure from children who can't even afford a ticket. Just like AE did last week when they were like "Yeah, this ad is about jeans, thanks so much", and refused to even acknowledge people being offended over something they made up in their heads. 

Andrew is the lead for two months. After they both leave, two new leads are coming in. Oh, and there are all races of people in South Korea. Just wanted to clear that up for the 12 years old saying "If he was a DECENT PERSON, he would totally drop out!!!". That's not how life works. 

Jesus Tapdancing Christ.

Updated On: 8/4/25 at 02:14 PM

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:19pm

hicaesar said: "Ensemble1698878795 said: "hicaesar said: "Auggie27 said: "Losing Criss is hurting the immediate future. A star - Asian or non - is surely sought for performances after Feldman."

What Asian Broadway stars exist? That's the catch 22."

Zach Piser is Asian. Also an ex DEH and was just in Redwood. Criss wasn’t selling tickets with his name for most of the run. Andrew won’t do much better. This was an opportunity to make the show the star. It’s not like Andrew is a Tony winner or something."

Does anyone consider Zach Piser a star? I'm not saying Andrew is either. Darren Criss is.

The idea that Darren's name wasn't selling tickets is silly.

If Darren Criss was such a box office draw why did the producers have to take a loan out in the Fall just to keep the show open? You're delusional to think he really sold tickets. He surely is no Denzel or Jake Gyllenhaal and that's just fact. 

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:22pm

Nah, you're delusional. It's almost impossible to get a ticket to that show, it's been selling incredibly well all Summer. Look at August sales for the show, it's sold out all next week. So, stop lying. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:26pm

I would believe the producers took out a loan when sales were low and slow. Darren was not a box office draw back then. He’s a workman-type actor, replacing in How to Succeed and Hedwig, which didn’t set those box offices aflame, and he hasn’t shot to fame since then. So no reason that he’d be a major draw here. 

I think the demand for tickets now is due to its Tony successes and the word of mouth that it’s a great piece of theatre. It’s not entirely because of Darren. Maybe it’s people wanting to see him before he leaves, but where were these people when it opened? 

Updated On: 8/4/25 at 02:26 PM

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:31pm

Sutton Ross said: "Nah, you're delusional. It's almost impossible to get a ticket to that show, it's been selling incredibly well all Summer. Look at August sales for the show, it's sold out all next week. So, stop lying."

You're talking about now. I'm talking about Darren always being a draw and he wasn't. Because if he was it would've been selling this way in the beginning, but it wasn't. Create whatever narrative you'd like in your mind, but box office receipts don't lie. 

[binau]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:31pm

If you looked at the previews of Sunset in London you would also conclude that Nicole is not a name that sells tickets (of course it wasn't as bad as MHE but it was a little bit of a slow start and in fact many people were pessimistic about the show prospects at first before it quickly became clear that it was a stunning piece of art).

Sometimes shows need a bit of word of mouth to get them into gear and there is complexity in what it means to be a 'name'. I don't think Darren is single-handily selling all these tickets but I would suggest a familiar name and face can help influence a buying decision in combination with other factors (positive word of mouth, reviews, awards etc). 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:33pm

Sutton Ross said: "Nah, you're delusional. It's almost impossible to get a ticket to that show, it's been selling incredibly well all Summer. Look at August sales for the show, it's sold out all next week. So, stop lying."

 

Sweetie, of COURSE August is well sold.  Darren is in the show thru 8/31!  Take a look at September and October sales -- not a pretty picture for a producer.  

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 2:36pm

JSquared2 said: "Sutton Ross said: "Nah, you're delusional. It's almost impossible to get a ticket to that show, it's been selling incredibly well all Summer. Look at August sales for the show, it's sold out all next week. So, stop lying."



Sweetie, of COURSE August is well sold. Darren is in the show thru 8/31! Take a look at September and October sales -- not a pretty picture for a producer.

"

Totally expected that those buyers would want to see the Tony-winning performance. It doesn’t matter that it’s Darren. It could have been Helen leaving (if she was nominated and won) and they’d flock just like they are now. 

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 6:54pm

 

YankeeDummy said: "MezzoDiva47 said:


"who made _you_ judge?

u created an account just to come on here and flame everyone else

i have the utmost respect and regard for human decency and i do not take anyone for granted

just like ppl trapped in the maga cult u need to break free of the woke cult and join the rest of us in the land of reasonable

until then you remain aligned with biased closed-minded arrogant elites who dont even realize that your views are predetermined by your own prejudices

the irony here is that the most liked post on this thread by far is the one which advocates for the same rational and levelheaded approach i am pleading for but admittedly is more eloquently written

the ppl who liked that post but havent posted in agreement are part of the underground who know they cant speak out without getting canceled by ppl like u

i hope that glass house u live in has air conditioning

u r part of the same flock who has tried to shove latinx down the throat of a community who never asked for it"

"Never did which is how I know you are both ignorant and wrongfully misguided in your rage. How many POC friends do you have speaking from your high horse?"

 

so

u lack reading comprehension skills

i never said that _you_ personally did

but based on the lexicon of your posts u seem to be aligned with the woke mob of whom some members have been pushing that particular issue

just like the identity politics issue u are pushing here

and just to be clear for anyone making the conclusion

im not maga

i detest trump with every fiber of my being

it is possible to not be a part of either the maga cult or the woke mob

unfortunately both groups send the decent human beings trapped in the middle bolting to the other side when situations like this one get too extreme

and when u start saying things like count up the number of POC friends u have its akin to saying break out the ruler so we can measure and compare

and since you also have friends who are POC you should already know that many do not like to be considered a representational monolith

as i stated earlier there are some asian ppl who are embarrassed by this whole imploded affair

while i have been entertained by your diversion i recommend u go back to waiting in line at equity chorus calls to sing your 8 bars

 

MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

 

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 9:31pm

binau said: "I don't think Darren is single-handily selling all these tickets but I would suggest a familiar name and face can help influence a buying decision in combination with other factors (positive word of mouth, reviews, awards etc)."

I do also think there's something to be said for the changing of his target demographic.  While he's definitely still most popular from Glee, the 13-year-olds of 2010 who watched him on the show are 28 now, and with the right promotion, they definitely have much more of a disposable income now than they did when he was previously on Broadway.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 9:40pm

Sutton Ross said: "RippedMan said: "This was likely the thought process: The guy is dating the current lead. He's somewhat of a name. He seems like a good fit for the role. I think that's likely all the though that went into it."

Correct. He knows the show incredibly well considering he ran lines with her for months so she could nail her audition, which she did. Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity to be on North America's greatest stage. He doesn't look like a typical leading man (Joshua Henry/Norm Lewis/Jeremy Jordan), so this is a great opportunityfor him.

I'm glad they aren't bending to pressure from children who can't even afford a ticket. Just like AE did last week when they were like "Yeah, this ad is about jeans, thanks so much", and refused to even acknowledgepeople being offended over something they made up in their heads.

Andrew is the lead for two months. After they both leave, two new leads are coming in. Oh, and there are all races of people in South Korea. Just wanted to clear that up for the 12 years old saying "If he was a DECENT PERSON, he would totally drop out!!!". That's nothow life works.

Jesus Tapdancing Christ."

Notice that the moderators are allowing her to be rude and bitchy and they don’t delete her posts. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 9:57pm

Matt Rogers said: "Sutton Ross said: "RippedMan said: "This was likely the thought process: The guy is dating the current lead. He's somewhat of a name. He seems like a good fit for the role. I think that's likely all the though that went into it."

Correct. He knows the show incredibly well considering he ran lines with her for months so she could nail her audition, which she did. Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity to be on North America's greatest stage. He doesn't look like a typical leading man (Joshua Henry/Norm Lewis/Jeremy Jordan), so this is a great opportunityfor him.

I'm glad they aren't bending to pressure from children who can't even afford a ticket. Just like AE did last week when they were like "Yeah, this ad is about jeans, thanks so much", and refused to even acknowledgepeople being offended over something they made up in their heads.

Andrew is the lead for two months. After they both leave, two new leads are coming in. Oh, and there are all races of people in South Korea. Just wanted to clear that up for the 12 years old saying "If he was a DECENT PERSON, he would totally drop out!!!". That's nothow life works.

Jesus Tapdancing Christ."

Notice that the moderators are allowing her to be rude and bitchy and they don’t delete her posts."

The mods commit a lot of double standard BS on here. It is repugnant.

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:29pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "Dani, please give one example of the absence of my integrity and/or morals.

MrMusic, please give one example of how my views on race are antiquated. Also, the word Eurasian was absolutely used by Asians and Eurasians alike during my time traveling in Asia.

Everyone might enjoy this casting notice from June 2024 which states: “[OLIVER] Character is male (cis, transgender or non-binary), 20s—30s, any ethnicity.” The notice with “Asian” written in it, shared on this forum and by the Oracle in his video, is from 2019. For 2024, both Oliver and Claire were updated to “any ethnicity”.

Here’s an image link to the notice:https://imgur.com/a/HU8ROzF

https://www.broadwayworld.com/equity-audition/MAYBE-HAPPY-ENDING--Broadway--Maybe-Happy-Ending-Broadway-LLC-2024-43323?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwL8jFFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHrNdLz4GEjoc5mKeGwGNhe3584hmiC7UoN2IIVGHQ2v0c5uBVTRPSD31iF6B_aem_EetL-QBV3kdEpWsoiv_FSw

Enjoy your time in the show, Andrew.

Oracle, you may want to update your next video with this more recent casting notice. I like your singing voice so another parody song might be nice too."

YOUR BELIEFS SHOW A TOTAL LACK OF INTEGRITY AND MORALS. IT IS ABHORRENT. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:33pm

The reactions to Boris continue to astound. 

I VERY MUCH understand why casting Andrew (as a temp replacement, opposite his real life AAPI girlfriend) ruffled feathers. Lots of well worded and measured responses to it that I was glad to read, even if the perspective is different than mine.

And then theres this board. over the top, unhinged, hysterical. the usual. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:42pm

Sutton Ross said: "RippedMan said: "This was likely the thought process: The guy is dating the current lead. He's somewhat of a name. He seems like a good fit for the role. I think that's likely all the though that went into it."

Correct. He knows the show incredibly well considering he ran lines with her for months so she could nail her audition, which she did. Andrew isn't working so he isn't going to pass up an opportunity to be on North America's greatest stage. He doesn't look like a typical leading man (Joshua Henry/Norm Lewis/Jeremy Jordan), so this is a great opportunityfor him.

I'm glad they aren't bending to pressure from children who can't even afford a ticket. Just like AE did last week when they were like "Yeah, this ad is about jeans, thanks so much", and refused to even acknowledgepeople being offended over something they made up in their heads.."

Wow!! HE knows the show so well??? Well that changes everything! Do you not realize how FEW OPPORTUNITIES POC AND AAPI HAVE??? Does this not make sense to you?

 

And implying POC and AAPI can't afford tickets? What a loser you are. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:43pm

MezzoDiva47 said: "

YankeeDummysaid: "MezzoDiva47 said:


"who made _you_ judge?

u created an account just to come on here and flame everyone else

i have the utmost respect and regard for human decency and i do not take anyone for granted

just like ppl trapped in the maga cult u need to break free of the woke cult and join the rest of us in the land of reasonable

until then you remain aligned with biased closed-minded arrogant elites whodont even realize that your views are predetermined by your own prejudices

the irony here is that the most liked post on this thread by far is the one which advocates for the same rational and levelheaded approach i am pleading for but admittedly is more eloquently written

the ppl who liked that post but havent posted in agreement are part of the underground who know they cant speak out without getting canceled by ppl like u

i hope that glass house u live in has air conditioning

u r part of the same flock who has tried to shove latinx down the throat of a community who never asked for it"

"Never did which is how I know you are both ignorant and wrongfully misguided in your rage. How many POC friends do you have speaking from your high horse?"



so

u lack reading comprehension skills

i never said that _you_ personally did

but based on the lexicon of your posts useem to be aligned with the woke mob of whom some members have been pushing that particular issue

just like the identity politics issue uare pushing here

and just to be clear for anyone making the conclusion

im not maga

i detest trump with every fiber of my being

it is possible to not be a part of either the maga cultorthe woke mob

unfortunately both groupssend the decent human beings trapped in the middle boltingto the other side when situations like this onegettoo extreme

and when ustart saying things like count up the number of POC friends uhave its akin to sayingbreak out the ruler so we can measure and compare

and since you also have friends who are POC you should already know that many do not like to be considered a representational monolith

as i stated earlier there are some asian ppl who are embarrassed by this whole imploded affair

while i have been entertained by your diversioni recommend u go back to waiting in line at equity chorus calls to sing your 8 bars



MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

"

So your defense is "there are asian people who are embarrassed" da ****? 

You need help. Especially for someone saying "Bow down accordingly" 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/4/25 at 11:46pm

“YOUR BELIEFS SHOW A TOTAL LACK OF INTEGRITY AND MORALS. IT IS ABHORRENT.”

There’s no need to shout, Dani Darling. We’re probably in the same zip code, if not neighboring ones. I can hear you just fine.

Please state what you belief those believes to be. Err… I mean… what you believe those beliefs to be.

Updated On: 8/4/25 at 11:46 PM

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 8/5/25 at 12:26am

hicaesar said: "Auggie27 said: "Losing Criss is hurting the immediate future. A star - Asian or non - is surely sought for performances after Feldman."

What Asian Broadway stars exist? That's the catch 22."

 

this

since there are _so many_ asian broadway stars sitting around who can sell tickets and prolong the life of the show

go ahead and cast them

with this apparent embarrassment of riches there should have been no issue here

except

that annoying thing called reality

 

the other part not mentioned on here enough is the woke idea that writers and creators dont really mean what they originally wrote

even when they publicly state specifically what they were going for

its like reverse gaslighting

 

i also appreciated the comment made elsewhere on here that the population of south korea contains its own diversity

but that thought never even entered the small minds of some of the ppl on this board

so the casting decision commits the sin of creating dissonance with their narrow worldview

 

the producers of this show should just weather the storm

there will be another invented outrage soon enough for the ppl to start relocating their pitchforks

 

MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/5/25 at 12:37am

“i also appreciated the comment made elsewhere on here that the population of south korea contains its own diversity”

Thank you for this point Mezzo. I wonder how many of the screamers have actually been to South Korea. I have been to Seoul specifically. It’s an incredible place (with the most glorious wide sidewalks but that’s beside the point).

The number of WASPs in Seoul would make some peoples’ jaws drop. Many of them second and third generation. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 8/5/25 at 1:01am

I'm not sure it's going anywhere soon.  Outlets are accelerating in coverage ...   

 AMNY - Maybe Happy Ending Casting Controversy Continues"

https://www.amny.com/entertainment/broadway/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy-continues/

AMERICAN THEATRE

Maybe, Maybe Not: A Casting Controversy and the Conversation It’s Started

An Asian American theatremaker reflects on the intent and impact of Broadway’s ‘Maybe Happy Ending,’ and the precedent its latest casting decision may set.

https://www.americantheatre.org/2025/08/02/maybe-maybe-not-a-casting-controversy-and-the-conversation-its-started/

 NYTIMES 

‘Maybe Happy Ending’ Casting Change Ignites Debate About Representation'

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/theater/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy.html

WASHINGTON POST

"The Broadway recasting of an Asian with a White actor is a big misstep. The decision by "Maybe Happy Ending" to replace Tony winner Darren Criss with Andrew Barth Feldman has drawn justifiable backlash. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2025/07/31/maybe-happy-ending-casting/

Updated On: 8/5/25 at 01:01 AM

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/5/25 at 2:13am

MezzoDiva47 said: "hicaesar said: "Auggie27 said: "Losing Criss is hurting the immediate future. A star - Asian or non - is surely sought for performances after Feldman."

What Asian Broadway stars exist? That's the catch 22."



this

since there are _so many_ asian broadway stars sitting around who cansell tickets and prolong the life of the show

go ahead and cast them

with thisapparent embarrassment of riches there should have beenno issue here

except

thatannoying thing called reality



the other part not mentioned on here enough is the woke idea that writers and creators dont really mean what they originally wrote

even when they publicly state specifically what they were going for

its like reverse gaslighting



i also appreciated the comment made elsewhere on here that the population of south korea contains its own diversity

but that thought never even entered the small minds of some of the ppl on this board

so the casting decision commits the sin of creating dissonance with their narrow worldview



the producers of this show should just weather the storm

there will be another invented outrage soon enough for the ppl to start relocating their pitchforks



MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

"

do you think you're funny or even remotely interesting posting in your haikus? You talk about politics and it's nut jobs like you who turn off the majority of swing voters. 

[YankeeDani]

Posted: 8/5/25 at 2:13am

CoffeeBreak said: "I'm not sure it's going anywhere soon. Outlets are accelerating in coverage ...

AMNY -Maybe Happy Ending Casting Controversy Continues"

https://www.amny.com/entertainment/broadway/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy-continues/

AMERICAN THEATRE

Maybe, Maybe Not: A Casting Controversy and the Conversation It’s Started

An Asian American theatremaker reflects on the intent and impact of Broadway’s ‘Maybe Happy Ending,’ and the precedent its latest casting decision may set.

https://www.americantheatre.org/2025/08/02/maybe-maybe-not-a-casting-controversy-and-the-conversation-its-started/

NYTIMES

‘Maybe Happy Ending’ Casting Change Ignites Debate About Representation'

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/theater/maybe-happy-ending-casting-controversy.html

WASHINGTON POST

"The Broadway recasting of an Asian with a White actor is a big misstep. The decision by "Maybe Happy Ending" to replace Tony winner Darren Criss with Andrew Barth Feldman has drawn justifiable backlash.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2025/07/31/maybe-happy-ending-casting/"

it's getting media but I think the peak of outrage has sadly stopped. once they hear Andrew sing (very talented) it's probably done. I do think it will be brought up in interviews and be answered w nuance and have countless people here defending them as usual.